Anderlecht vs West Ham prediction: EUROPE: Europa Conference League – Group Stage betting tips on match 2022-10-05 16:45.
Under pressure manager Felice Mazzù will be hoping to channel the spirit of Anderlecht’s 1976 European Cup Winners’ Cup success when they face West Ham. The Belgians won 4-2 in that final which was the only previous meeting between these sides 42 years ago, and the boss could do with a repeat performance after facing criticism for his style of football since taking charge in the summer, winning only seven of his 16 matches in the dugout (D2, L7).
Despite that, the Purple and White have made a good start to the UECL after reaching the group stages of a European competition for the first time since 2018/19. They beat Silkeborg 1-0 in their opening game before drawing 0-0 with FSCB, meaning they sit in second place in Group B.
The Hammers on the other hand top the group, and despite a stuttering start to the season, striker Jarrod Bowen believes his side are primed to go on a good run after “regrouping” during the international break. A 2-0 victory over Wolves on Saturday evening means David Moyes’ side have now won five of their last eight matches (D1, L2), with three of those successes coming in the UECL.
This is the Londoners’ best-ever start to a European campaign, having now won four successive fixtures whilst scoring at least two goals in each triumph. Last year’s UEFA Europa League semi-finalists have also been strong on the road in Europe of late, losing just two of their last nine games (W5, D2).
Key battle: Anderlecht defender Jan Vertonghen has never kept a clean sheet against West Ham, but has lost just twice in nine meetings with the Londoners (W5, D2). He will be attempting to thwart West Ham forward Gianluca Scamacca, who has netted three times in four European appearances, with each goal coming between the 22nd and 25th minute, as well as Bowen, who is one strike away from drawing level with Johnny Byrne and David Cross as West Ham’s all-time leading scorer in European football.
Hot stat: Moyes is unbeaten in his last eight away group games in European competition (W5, D3).